Rhapsody in Bloom (BL)

Chapter 24

As the night grew deeper, the crowd went wilder. You could even see some people making out in every corner of the place. But it was just a normal sight for us... except for Riley. Mababakas kasi ang pagkagulat niya sa tuwing bigla na lang may maghahalikan sa harapan namin, o maging sa table nila Timothy.

A lot of people were approaching us when we went back to our table. Many of them were asking where we had been. Some even asked for pictures with me and introduced themselves, but I only responded with a smile and a nod.

I kept my smile polite and my gestures controlled. A wave here, a nod there, acknowledging those who called out to me.

"Okay ka pa?" I asked Riley as I casually draped my arm over the back of his chair.

Tinawanan niya lang ako habang nagpupunas ng pawis sa noo niya gamit ang paper towel.

"Yeah... I'm actually having fun," aniya.

Nang ilibot ko ang tingin ko, natawa na lang ako nang makitang halatang may tama na ang mga kasama namin. Nakabukas na kasi ang lahat ng butones ni Tob habang nakikipagkwentuhan sa table nila Timothy. Si Gino ay pulang-pula na ang mukha at dibdib habang inaasar si Elysia at Marco na ngayon ay magkakandong na. Matitinis na rin ang boses ni Amira at Zoe habang nagtatawanan silang dalawa.

Samantalang yung katabi ko... mukhang okay na okay pa.

Well, he only had a few shots of tequila, but he did have several glasses of margarita. From the few times we've drunk together, I can say that I didn't expect his alcohol tolerance to be so high. Talong-talo niya pa yung mga kaibigan naming natural na lasinggero eh... ehem, Tob.

"I didn't expect you're such a good dancer!" muling pagbaling ko sa kaniya. Tinignan ko pa siya nang may mapang-asar na ngiti. "Parang hindi na ako naniniwala na first time mo 'to. Parang natural eh."

Muli niyang inilapit ang mukha niya sa akin dahil nasasapawan ng music ang boses niya. Hindi ata siya sanay sumigaw eh.

"Gino is such a good teacher," he chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "But I didn't expect dancing and clubbing would be this fun. I thought it wasn't for me."

"Well... you were wrong." I leaned closer, a playful grin spreading across my face, as my voice took on a husky tone. "Cause you are glowing differently tonight."

Bahagya siyang napaatras para hulihin ang mga mata ko. "Am I?" takang tanong niya na ikinatango ko.

"Yeah," I agreed.

Sa kabila kasi ng kadiliman ng lugar, para pa rin siyang nagliliwanag. He has this look that, no matter what he's doing, people would glance in his direction as if he has his own spotlight. And it isn't just because of the color of his skin... he has this aura that draws people's attention regardless of their gender.

A lot of celebrities have that... the star quality they talk about. Hindi na lang ako magtataka kapag isang araw ay biglang may nag-recruit sa kaniya bilang isang model o artista. Kung hindi lang talaga siya lowkey sa social media, malaki ang chance na sumikat siya.

"Thanks to Amira and Elysia for dressing me up," muli siyang natawa, pero umiling ako.

"It isn't about your look tonight. It's about you, Riley... and how you carry yourself."

"Really?" aniya, bahagya pang napataas ang dalawang kilay.

"You're growing... I'm so proud."

"Aren't you just drunk?"

Muli akong napailing saka mahinang natawa. "Trust me... I couldn't even take my eyes off of you. Hindi mo rin ata napapansin dahil busy ka sa kasasayaw, but a lot of people were looking at you. Kung hindi lang sila sinasamaan ng tingin ni Marco at Gino kanina, baka nag-approach na sila sa'yo."